On September 13, 2017 MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) commended the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Secretary Elaine Chao for recognizing the potential of saving lives on America’s roadways using autonomous vehicles and other advanced technologies such as DADSS (Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety). The DOT, according to MADD, is making this a priority with the launch of updated federal guidance on these technologies.

What are autonomous vehicles?

Autonomous vehicles are driverless and, according to Howtogeek.com, they use sensors, cameras, radar, real-time 3D maps and gigabytes of specialized software to “see” the road in front of it, behind it, and around every corner.

What is DADSS?

According DADSS.org, it is a “first-of-its-kind” technology that detects when a driver is intoxicated with a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) at or above 0.08, the legal limit in all 50 states. The vehicle will not move above this BAC level. It is designed to be “quick, accurate, reliable and affordable,” and it will be a safety option on new vehicles similar to automatic braking and lane-departure warning systems.

There are two technologies for DADSS that are being researched. One is touch-based, and the other breath-based. DADSS says, “The breath-based system measures the alcohol levels in a driver’s exhaled breath unobtrusively, rather than requiring the deep lung sample of standard breathalyzers. The system is being designed to take instantaneous readings as the driver breathes normally and to accurately and reliably distinguish between the driver’s breath and that of any passengers. The touch-based system measures blood alcohol levels under the skin’s surface by shining an infrared-light through the fingertip. This technology will be integrated into current vehicle controls, such as the start button or steering wheel, and take multiple, accurate readings in less than a second.”

MADD says that drunk driving impacts every American every day. Every 2 minutes someone is injured in a drunk-driving accident, and every 51 minutes someone is killed.

According to Associated Press, a 29-year-old woman lost control of her vehicle and caused a chain reaction of crashes which led to the deaths of one child and two adults in Tampa in August 2017. She was charged with DUI.

“We at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., see the devastation caused by drunk-driving accidents. Please do not drink and drive or allow your family or friends to do so,” said Hurt By Drunk Driver Attorney, Randall Spivey.

Hurt By Drunk Driver Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just seven  (7%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.